More women's code than you can handle
Farah Palmer Cup, Black Ferns and NRLW
I fucking hate doubleheaders. Sorry for swearing but they piss me right off.
They are the woke-washed cousin of curtain raisers where we can all pretend that the two matches are now on equal footing cause look we said the word doubleheader! Never mind the fact that one team will be paid to play while the other may not. Never mind that the commentators will make frequent reference throughout coverage of the following game like it’s the main event. Never mind the ticketing site that will make no reference to any other match but the top men’s side that are playing leaving you confused as to whether this ticket even gets you access to both.
They suck.
I always find it depressing to see the crowd finally fill out in the last 20 minutes of the first match. I don’t find it funny when other punters crack jokes about me missing the game when I leave after the one I came for.
Doubleheaders need to get in the bin unless we are going to do the work to ensure that they are truly two teams on equal footing.
ANYWAY. There is so much rugby and league to watch this weekend, where do you start?
First things first, this graphic is already out of date. The Tasman v Hawkes Bay Tui match has been cancelled due to the wild weather in Nelson at the moment. The decision has been made to split the points which is tough for Tasman who now might be leapfrogged on the table if Northland get up (like they probably will) over Taranaki.
Your watch list
There is still 5 games of FPC, 3 NRLW matches AND a Black Ferns test to tune into. So we can’t be expected to watch them all! Here’s the ones I recommend:
Wellington Pride v Bay of Plenty Volcanix
The Pride lose Joanah Ngan-Woo and Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Volcanix lose Luka Connor and Kendra Reynolds to Black Ferns duty.
I would say the Pride though, have the greater depth to be able to handle that with the return of Sanita Levave to the starting line up. They also have FINALLY brought back Nina Foaese to bring some much needed mongrel and on the bench is my fav, Georgia Daals.
It’s also last call for Wellington with this outcome likely to decide whether they get relegated this season. So with that said, I’ve predicted this match goes to the Pride and under and Vic reckons, 13+ to the Pride.
Waikato v Auckland Storm
Waikato lose Kennedy Simon, Tanya Kalounivale, AwhinaTangen-Wainohu and Renee Holmes meanwhile Auckland Storm lose Ruahei Demant, Tafito Lafaele, Charmaine McMenamin and Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia ) Brunt.
I think losing the experience from the front row will have a destabilising impact to Waikato’s set piece. Storm lose players from across the paddock who have made big impact but they also have more than a couple of players that have something to prove having been left out of the squad for the O’Reilly series (looking at you Eloise Blackwell and Petu Maliepo!).
I think this is going to be a bloody great bust up and is maybe the match I’m most looking forward to. To add to the competitiveness, I picked Storm by 12 and under and Vic picked Waikato by 12 and under.
Black Ferns v Wallaroos
I do not know what the heck to make of this team they have picked for Saturday. Key questions - who are our starting front row? Who is our halfback? Who is our first five? Who is our midfield pairing? Only look to get more complicated after this one.
Let’s be frank here, this team needs to beat Aussie by 30+ in order to look the goods for a World Cup in 50 days. If this is the team we are looking to start with at the RWC, I am worried.
So watch them closely - have we made any improvements at scrumtime? What is our lineout percentage? Do we have multiple strike points in the backline? Have we sorted out ball retention at ruck time.
We will see.
Parramata Eels v Roosters
Gayle Broughton will be making her debut for the Eels against the last season winners, the Roosters.
I am going to be honest, I asked Honey Hireme-Smiler for her reckons here and this is what she said…
Roosters have got some crazy speed in their outside backs but so do the Eels. Players to watch are Gayle obviously but Honey likes Mya Hill-Moana who is propping for the Roosters and is one of her babies. She also really rates Elle Johnson, a young Aboriginal player who will be hissing!
Both sides are stacked with Jillaroos (which sounds like a colloquial term for.. well you know what!) so the standard will be high.
Knights v Broncos
Honey tells me this is shaping up to be one of the annual grudge matches of the NRLW. This is essentially because of a series of player trades between the two teams in the off season. People will have points to prove against former team mates so should be worth checking out!
Okay, that’s your assignment for the weekend, go out there are fill ya boots!
With you,
Alice